Chaney's Brad Smith ready, waiting

The standout quarterback from Missouri is expected to be drafted.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Over the past four years, Missouri quarterback Brad Smith has developed into one of the top playmaking quarterbacks in the country.
The question for NFL teams is, should he stay that way?
"There are a few teams looking at me for something other than quarterback and there are some who would like me to play quarterback," said Smith, 22, a Chaney High graduate.
"I might have to be a little lower on the depth chart [at quarterback] while I'm learning. But I can help the team in another way if I play another position."
Translation: He's not sure what will happen. He just wants to play.
"I'm looking forward to getting an opportunity to play and show what I can do," he said.
First in NCAA history
Smith (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) became the first player in NCAA Division I history to rush for more than 4,000 yards and pass for more 8,000 yards.
He finished the season strong, compiling more than 400 yards in the Independence Bowl to rally the Tigers from a 21-0 deficit to beat South Carolina, 38-31.
He'd prefer to play quarterback in the NFL, but teams may also use him as a wide receiver or punt returner.
At February's NFL combine, Smith worked out as a quarterback and ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. (By comparison, Marcus Vick of Virginia Tech ran a 4.42). Smith was also at or near the top of most agility drills for quarterbacks.
He put on another impressive performance at Missouri's pro day last month.
"I think my times were pretty good compared to the other guys," he said. "At the combine, I was pretty much one of the top guys in each drill."
Prospects spend the first three days at the combine doing interviews with teams and taking a variety of written tests. The fourth and final day is devoted to physical tests.
Combine is crazy
"It's crazy," Smith said. "The first three days, you've got to be really mentally sharp. Then, on the fourth day, after you've been up all night talking to people for the last three days, you've got to work out in front of all these [general managers] and coaches and scouts who are up in the stands watching you play.
"It's a little bit stressful, but I had fun doing it."
He's spent the past few weeks doing individual workouts at Missouri, watching film and staying in shape for the draft, which is April 29-30. He's also working on his master's degree in economics.
Smith graduated with a marketing degree last spring and has about a semester remaining for his graduate degree.
"I wanted to stay in school another season and I also wanted to try and finish my master's," Smith said. "I'm pretty close."
Another draft hopeful
Smith is one of two Valley natives with a good chance of getting drafted, joining Syracuse safety Anthony Smith, a Hubbard High graduate.
Brad Smith hasn't been back to Youngstown much recently, but he plans to return on draft day. His mother, Sherri Brogdon, moved to Liberty last year and Smith wants to be around friends and family on the big day.
"Right now, it's kind of a wait-and-see mode," he said. "I feel like I've done everything I can to get ready."
scalzo@vindy.com